Coated article with improved barrier layer structure and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A coated article, and a corresponding method of making the same are provided. The coated article includes a coating supported by a substrate, the coating including a thin metal or metal nitride contact layer (e.g., NiCr, Ni, Cr, CrN x  or NiCrN x ) located directly between and contacting an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) and an oxide barrier layer (e.g., NiCrO x ).

This application claims priority on Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 9, 2001 (attorney docket number 3691-324), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a coated article including a metal or metal nitride layer provided between an IR reflecting layer (e.g., Ag layer) and an oxide barrier layer (e.g., NiCrO_(x)), and a method of making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coated articles provided for solar control purposes are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,718, which discloses a layer stack of: glass/Si₃N₄/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/Si₃N₄. In coatings such as this, NiCr barrier layers are commonly used to protect the Ag (silver) in low-E type coatings.

Unfortunately, metallic NiCr is characterized by high absorption which reduces transmittance of the final coated article. Due to this high absorption problem, those in the art desiring products with high visible transmission have been forced to use very thin NiCr barrier layers. For example, the NiCr layers in the aforesaid '718 patent are “less than about 7 Å” thick, in order to obtain the desired visible transmission. The thinner such layers are, the less barrier functionality and protection they provide. Consequently, those skilled in the art have been seeking to increase barrier layer transmission by introducing oxygen and/or nitrogen to NiCr barrier layers (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,872 at col. 4, lines 40-50).

Consider a layer stack of glass/Si₃N₄/NiCrO_(x)/Ag/NiCrO_(x)/Si₃N₄. While the NiCrO_(x) protective barrier layers are more transparent than NiCr protective barrier layers, they have their problems. For instance, the use of NiCrO_(x) protective barrier layers contacting the Ag layer on respective sides thereof can sometimes lead to problems with respect to durability and/or heat treatability. It is believed that during deposition (e.g., via sputtering) of a coating including NiCrO_(x) protective barrier layers, the Ag layer is exposed to the oxygen plasma (and thus chemically active atomic oxygen in that plasma) used in depositing the NiCrO_(x); this is especially true with respect to the top surface of the Ag layer when an upper NiCrO_(x) protective barrier is applied directly thereto. The exposure of the Ag to this oxygen inclusive plasma is believed to sometimes lead to Ag adhesion problems.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there exists a need for an improved barrier layer(s) structure for protecting an IR reflecting layer (e.g., Ag).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an improved barrier layer(s) structure for protecting an IR reflecting layer such as Ag in a coated article, and a corresponding method of making the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a barrier layer(s) structure which is capable of protecting an IR reflecting layer, and which is both fairly transmissive to visible light and enables a durable final coated article.

Another object of this invention is to fulfill one or more of the above listed objects and/or needs.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, one or more of the above-listed objects and/or needs is/are fulfilled by providing a coated article comprising: a glass substrate; a coating supported by the glass substrate, wherein the coating comprises a first dielectric layer, a first NiCrO_(x) inclusive layer, an Ag inclusive layer, a second NiCrO_(x) inclusive layer, and a second dielectric layer, wherein the Ag inclusive layer is located between the first and second NiCrO_(x) inclusive layers; and wherein the coating further includes a metal or metal nitride protective contact layer located between and contacting the Ag layer and one of the NiCrO_(x) inclusive layers.

In other example embodiments of this invention, one or more of the above-listed objects and/or needs is/are fulfilled by providing a coated article including a coating supported by a substrate, the coating comprising: a NiCrO_(x) inclusive layer; an Ag inclusive layer; and a metal or metal nitride layer located between and contacting each of the NiCrO_(x) inclusive layer and the Ag inclusive layer.

In other example embodiments of this invention, one or more of the above-listed objects and/or needs is/are fulfilled by providing a coated article including a coating supported by a substrate, the coating comprising: an oxide layer including an oxide of a metal or metal alloy; a metallic infrared (IR) reflecting layer; a metal or metal nitride protective contact layer located between and contacting each of the metallic IR reflecting layer and the oxide layer; and wherein the metal or metal nitride contact layer comprises the same metal or metal alloy as is in the oxide layer.

In still further embodiments of this invention, one or more of the above-listed objects and/or needs is/are fulfilled by providing a method of making a coated article, the method comprising: providing a glass substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer so as to be supported by the substrate; depositing an Ag layer on the substrate over the first dielectric layer; depositing a metal or metal nitride contact layer on the substrate directly over and in contact with the Ag layer; depositing a layer comprising NiCrO_(x) on the substrate directly over and in contact with the metal or metal nitride contact layer; and

depositing another dielectric layer on the substrate over the layer comprising NiCrO_(x).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a coated article according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a coated article according to another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a coated article according to yet another embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Coated articles according to different embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of architectural windows (e.g., IG units), automotive windows, or any other suitable application. Coated articles herein may or may not be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered, heat bent, or the like) in different embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of a coated article according to an embodiment of this invention. The coated article includes substrate 1 (e.g., clear, green, bronze, or blue-green glass substrate from about 1.0 to 10.0 mm thick, more preferably from about 1.8 mm to 4 mm thick), first dielectric layer 3, lower barrier layer 5, lower barrier contact layer 7 (which contacts IR reflecting layer 9), first conductive metallic infrared (IR) reflecting layer 9, upper barrier contact layer 11 (which contacts IR reflecting layer 9), upper barrier layer 13, and upper dielectric layer 15. The “contact” layers 7 and 11 each contact IR reflecting layer 9. Example non-limiting materials for layers 3-15 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The aforesaid layers 3-15 make up a solar control coating (e.g., a low-E or low emissivity type coating) which may be provided on glass or plastic substrates 1. The layer stack 3-15 illustrated in FIG. 1 may, in certain alternative embodiments of this invention, be repeated on substrate 1 one or more times (e.g., another layer stack 3-15 may be provided on top of the stack shown in FIG. 1 on the same substrate—this applies to any and all embodiments herein).

In certain embodiments of this invention, first dielectric layer 3 may be of or include titanium dioxide (TiO_(x) where x is from 1.7 to 2.7, most preferably 2.0 to 2.6), silicon nitride (Si_(x)N_(y) where x/y may be about 0.75 (i.e., Si₃N₄), or alternatively x/y may be from about 0.76 to 1.5 in Si-rich embodiments), silicon dioxide (SiO_(x) where x is from 1.7 to 2.3, most preferably about 2.0), niobium oxide (e.g., Nb₂O₅), SiZrN, tin oxide, zinc oxide, silicon oxynitride, or any other suitable dielectric material. First dielectric layer 3 may function as an antireflection and/or color modifying layer in certain embodiments of this invention.

Infrared (IR) reflecting layer 9 is preferably metallic and conductive, and may be made of or include silver (Ag), gold (Au), or any other suitable IR reflecting material. However, metallic Ag is the material of choice for IR reflecting layer 9 in certain example embodiments of this invention. The IR reflecting layer(s) helps enable the coating to have low-E characteristics.

Barrier layers 5 and 13 are preferably at least partially oxided, and in certain embodiments of this invention are of or include nickel (Ni) oxide, or a nickel alloy oxide such as nickel chrome oxide (NiCrO_(x)), or any other suitable material(s). In the FIG. 1 embodiment, layers 5 and 13 comprise NiCrO_(x) which may be either fully oxided/oxidized or only partially oxidized. In particular, NiCrO_(x) layers 5 and 13 may be fully oxidized in certain embodiments of this invention (i.e., fully stochiometric), or may be at least about 75% oxidized in other embodiments of this invention. While NiCrO_(x) is a preferred material for barrier layers 5 and 13, those skilled in the art will recognized that other materials may instead be used (e.g., oxides of Ni, oxides of Ni alloys, oxides of Cr, oxides of Cr alloys, NiCrO_(x)N_(y), NiCrN_(x), NbO_(x) or any other suitable material) for one or more of these layers. It is noted that barrier layers 5 and 13 may or may not be continuous in different embodiments of this invention.

Still referring to barrier layers 5 and 13, these layers may or may not be oxidation graded in different embodiments of this invention. In some embodiments, barrier layers 5 and 13 are approximately uniformly oxidized throughout their respective thicknesses (i.e., no grading). However, in other embodiments, barrier layers 5 and 13 may be oxidation graded so as to be less oxidized at the contact interface with the immediately adjacent contact layer(s) 7, 11 than at a portion of the barrier layer(s) further or more/most distant from the immediately adjacent contact layer. This may improve adhesion of the metal or metal nitride contact layers 7, 11 to the barrier layers 5, 13, respectively. Such grading may also enable the coating, in certain example non-limiting embodiments, to achieve the combination of heat treatability and high visible transmission. For a more detailed discussion of how layers 5 and/or 13 may be oxidation graded, see pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/794,224, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Contact layers 7 and 11 (which contact IR reflecting layer 9) are preferably more metallic and/or less oxidized than their respective adjacent barrier layers 5 and 13. For example, in certain embodiments of this invention, contact layers 7 and 11 may be of or include Ni, Cr, NiCr, CrN_(x) or NiCrN_(x) (it is noted that the term NiCrN_(x) as used herein includes situations where the Ni in the layer is metallic and the nitriding is mostly with respect to the Cr). In such embodiments, layers 7 and 11 are either not oxidized, or only slightly oxidized to an extent significantly less than barrier layers 5 and 13. Thus, in certain preferred example embodiments of this invention, contact layers 7 and/or 11 are substantially free of oxygen (i.e., less than about 10% oxidized), or are even oxidized from only 0-5% in certain embodiments.

Surprisingly, it has been found that by providing thin metal or metal-nitride protective contact layers 7 and 11 (e.g., NiCr, Ni, Cr, CrN_(x), Nb, or NiCrN_(x)) on the substrate between the IR reflecting layer 9 (e.g., Ag) and the respective barrier layers 5 and 13 (e.g., NiCrO_(x)), durability can be improved compared to a situation where NiCrO_(x) barrier layers 5 and 13 where entirely in direct contact with Ag layer 9. The use or thin metal or metal nitride contact layers 7 and/or 11 in contact with barrier layers 5 and/or 13 enables the resulting coated article to have both a high visible transmission (e.g., at least 70% in certain example embodiments), and be durable both before and/or after heat treatment. It is noted that metal or metal nitride contact layers 7 and 11 are provided to be rather thin (to reduce adverse affects of visible light absorption) in certain embodiments, so that the contact layers 7 and 11 may or may not be continuous in different embodiments of this invention.

When NiCr is used in layers 5, 7, 11 and/or 13 in certain embodiments of this invention (i.e., when a NiCr target is used in sputtering any of these layers regardless of whether they are oxided, nitrided, or neither), the Ni and Cr may be provided in different amounts, such as in the form of nichrome by weight about 80-90% Ni and 10-20% Cr. An exemplary sputtering target for depositing these layers includes not only SS-316 which consists essentially of 10% Ni and 90% other ingredients, mainly Fe and Cr, but Inconel and Haynes 214 alloy as well, which by weight consists essentially of (as a nominal composition) the following materials which may also show up in these layers: Ni: 75.45%; Fe: 4%; Cr: 16%; C: 0.04%; Al: 4.5%; and Y: 0.01%. In other embodiments, the NiCr target may be 50/50 Ni/Cr, or any other suitable ratio.

Still referring to FIG. 1, while various materials and/or thicknesses may be used consistent with one or more of the objects discussed herein, exemplary preferred thicknesses and materials for the respective layers on the glass substrate 1 in the FIG. 1 embodiment are as follows: TABLE 1 (Example Materials/Thicknesses; FIG. 1 Embodiment) Preferred Range More Preferred Layer ({acute over (Å)}) ({acute over (Å)}) Example (Å) Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 3) 0-600 {acute over (Å)} 300-550 {acute over (Å)} 410-520 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 5) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-30 Å NiCr (layer 7) 1-25 Å 1-10 Å 3-4 Å Ag (layer 9) 50-250 {acute over (Å)} 80-160 {acute over (Å)} 100-140 Å NiCr (layer 11) 1-25 Å 1-10 Å 3-4 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 13) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-25 Å Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 15) 0-800 {acute over (Å)} 300-600 {acute over (Å)} 410-540 Å

Other layer(s) below or above the illustrated coating may also be provided. Thus, while the FIG. 1 layer system or coating is “on” or “supported by” substrate 1 (directly or indirectly), other layer(s) may be provided therebetween. Thus, for example, the coating of FIG. 1 may be considered “on” and “supported by” the substrate 1 even if other layer(s) are provided between layer 3 and substrate 1. Moreover, certain layers of the coating may be removed in certain embodiments, while others may be added in other embodiments of this invention without departing from the overall spirit of certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a coated article according to another embodiment of this invention. The FIG. 2 embodiment is the same as the FIG. 1 embodiment, except that lower contact layer 7 from the FIG. 1 embodiment is not present in the FIG. 2 embodiment. In particular, a metal or metal nitride contact layer 11 is provided only on the upper side of Ag layer 9 because this is where the Ag layer is most susceptible to problems arising from exposure to oxygen plasma as discussed above. In still further, but less preferred, embodiments of this invention, a metal or metal nitride contact layer may be provided on the bottom of Ag layer 9 but not on top of layer 9 (i.e., the inverse of FIG. 2). In the FIG. 2 embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that layer 5 need not be NiCrO_(x), but instead may be any other suitable material including but not limited to an oxide of titanium (e.g., TiO₂), ZnAlO_(x), or the like.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of this invention where metal or metal nitride contact layer(s) 7 and/or 11 can be used. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these layers may be used in a variety of different coating stacks, and dielectric materials of the coating(s) and the number of IR reflecting layer(s) of the coating, are not always of particular relevance with respect to the contact layers described herein. While a metal or metal nitride contact layer (contact layer 11 over the bottom Ag layer 9, and contact layer 11′ over the top Ag layer 9′), in other embodiments of this invention metal or metal nitride contact layer(s) may be provided below one or both of these Ag layer(s) as well (e.g., see contact layer 7 in FIG. 1). In the FIG. 3 embodiment, example materials and thicknesses (which are of course non-limiting) are provided below in Table 2. TABLE 2 (Example Materials/Thicknesses; FIG. 3 Embodiment) Preferred Range More Preferred Layer ({acute over (Å)}) ({acute over (Å)}) Example (A) TiO₂ (layer 2) 0-400 {acute over (Å)} 50-250 {acute over (Å)} 100-160 Å Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 3) 0-500 {acute over (Å)} 50-400 {acute over (Å)} 170-360 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 5) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-30 Å Ag (layer 9) 50-250 {acute over (Å)} 80-120 {acute over (Å)} 105 Å NiCr (layer 11) 1-25 Å 1-10 Å 3-4 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 13) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-30 Å SnO₂ (layer 16) 0-800 Å 500-850 Å 650 Å Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 18) 0-800 {acute over (Å)} 50-250 {acute over (Å)} 170 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 5′) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-30 Å Ag (layer 9′) 50-250 {acute over (Å)} 80-120 {acute over (Å)} 105 Å NiCr (layer 11′) 1-25 Å 1-10 Å 3-4 Å NiCrO_(x) (layer 13′) 5-100 {acute over (Å)} 10-50 {acute over (Å)} 15-30 Å SnO₂ (layer 20) 0-500 Å 100-300 Å 150 Å Si₃N₄ (layer 22) 0-500 {acute over (Å)} 100-300 {acute over (Å)} 250 Å

An example of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the instant invention was made and tested, as set forth below. During the sputter coating process in which layers 3-15 were deposited: the line speed for lower silicon nitride layer 3 (using a Si sputtering target) was 55 inches/minute using 8 passes, the line speed for upper silicon nitride layer 15 (using a Si sputtering target) was 50 inches/minute using 8 passes; the line speed for the NiCr contact layers 7 and 11 was 100 inches/minute using 1 pass; and the line speed for the NiCrO_(x) barrier layers 5 and 13 was 37.5 inches/minute using 2 passes. COATER SET-UP FOR EXAMPLE OF FIG. 1 EMBODIMENT Target Mat'l Power (kW) Volts (V) Ar (sccm) O₂ (sccm) N₂ (sccm) Thickness (Å) Si (layer 3) 1 kW 485 V 40 0 40 470 Å NiCr (layer 5) 1 kW 415 V 40 10 0 22 Å NiCr (layer 7) 0.38 kW   370 V 30 0 0 3 Å Ag (layer 9) 2.95 kW   465 V 30 0 0 R_(s) = 16 ohm/sq. NiCr (layer 11) 0.38 kW   370 V 30 0 0 3 Å NiCr (layer 13) 1 kW 415 V 40 10 0 22 Å Si (layer 15) 1 kW 485 V 40 0 40 510 Å

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the aforesaid coater set-up resulted in a layer stack on glass substrate 1 of (from the substrate outwardly): Si₃N₄/NiCrO_(x)/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/NiCrO_(x)/Si₃N₄. Of course, in alternative embodiments of this invention contact layer(s) 7 and/or 11 could be nitrided (fully or only partially) by adding nitrogen gas to the sputter coating process of those layers 7 and/or 11. Optical characteristics of this particular example were measure as follows (Ill. C, 2 degree observer technique was used for transmission characteristics): OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXAMPLE Transmission (TY) %: 81.25% a*_(T): −2.24 b*_(T): 0.81 Reflectance as viewed from 7.54 glass (G) side: R_(G)Y (%): L*_(G): 33.01 a*_(G): 0.56 b*_(G): −7.13 Reflectance as viewed from 5.07 film/coating (F) side: R_(F)Y (%): a*_(F): 3.21 b*_(F): −5.30 R_(s) (sheet resistance in ohms/sq.): 16.0

This example was characterized by better durability than a comparative example where the metal contact layers were omitted.

Coated articles according to certain embodiments of this invention have a visible transmission of at least 65%, more preferably of at least 70%, and most preferably of at least 75%, and even sometimes at least 80%. Moreover, coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention have a sheet resistance (R_(s)) of no greater than 20 ohms/sq., more preferably no greater than 16 ohms/sq., and sometimes no greater than 12 ohms/sq.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A method of making a coated article, the method comprising: providing a glass substrate; depositing a first layer so as to be supported by the substrate; depositing a layer comprising silver on the substrate over at least the first layer; forming a metal inclusive contact layer on the substrate directly over and in contact with the layer comprising silver; forming a layer comprising an oxide of NiCr on the substrate directly over and in contact with the metal inclusive contact layer, wherein the metal inclusive contact layer is more metallic than is the layer comprising the oxide of NiCr; and depositing at least one additional layer on the substrate over the layer comprising an oxide of NiCr.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said metal inclusive contact layer is either metallic or a metal nitride.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein said metal inclusive contact layer comprises nickel.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein said first layer comprises silicon nitride.
 42. The method of claim 38, wherein said layer comprising an oxide of NiCr is more metallic at a first location closer to said metal inclusive contact layer than at a second location further from said metal inclusive contact layer.
 43. The method of claim 38, further comprising heat treating the coated article after said forming steps.
 44. The method of claim 38, wherein said contact layer comprises a metal nitride. 